Essential QuestionHow do we use language to convey tone, mood, and theme? After the AP test in early May, we will be working on composing and revising multiple creative writings in order to publish them in an anthology. There are two paths to this: 1. Create a book club of 3-4 peers, read and discuss one of the novels below, and write in response to quotes pulled from the text. or 2. Go through the prompts from any of the options below and choose those that speak to you.
Your response can be a personal memoir, a fictional short story, a poem, or a This I Believe essay.
There is no length requirement. Please note that YOU WILL GET FROM THIS UNIT THAT WHICH YOU PUT INTO IT. If you are looking to simply write something to get it done, this unit will not benefit you in any way. I do not require a specific length because to do so would stifle creativity.
I recommend setting a portion of your binder aside for the collection of writings or, if you prefer, using a journal.
This I Believe:
Every year, the seniors compose essays based on the radio series from the 1950s titled This I Believe. The basic premise of the series was to have celebrities and common folk alike share their personal belief statements on a variety of topics. While you are working through this unit, you may come across topics in a prompt about which you feel passionately, or you may have another topic about which you want to write. I recommend writing more than one so you can choose your favorite.
For examples of This I Believe essays, click here to search by theme.
Goal for the end of the unit: Each of you will choose a minimum of TWO pieces of your writing that will fill up to four pages to polish and publish in a collection reflecting the AP class. Each of you will also submit ONE This I Believe essay for the Class anthology which will feature all seniors' writings. Please see the link in the above section for parameters of the This I Believe essays.
How: You will work in writing groups to offer and receive insight into others’ writings as well as your own, focusing on voice and its construction. In your groups, you will present multiple writings from the guided journal questions, ultimately deciding which TWO you will submit for publication.
After the AP test in early May, we will be working on composing and revising multiple creative writings in order to publish them in an anthology. There are two paths to this: 1. Create a book club of 3-4 peers, read and discuss one of the novels below, and write in response to quotes pulled from the text. or 2. Go through the prompts from any of the options below and choose those that speak to you.
Links to reading assignments and prompts by novel:
My Sister's Keeper
Nineteen Minutes
The Dante Club
The Kite Runner
Keeping Faith
City of Bones
Parameters for writing:
This I Believe:
Every year, the seniors compose essays based on the radio series from the 1950s titled This I Believe. The basic premise of the series was to have celebrities and common folk alike share their personal belief statements on a variety of topics. While you are working through this unit, you may come across topics in a prompt about which you feel passionately, or you may have another topic about which you want to write. I recommend writing more than one so you can choose your favorite.
For parameters of the essay, follow this link.
For examples of This I Believe essays, click here to search by theme.
Goal for the end of the unit: Each of you will choose a minimum of TWO pieces of your writing that will fill up to four pages to polish and publish in a collection reflecting the AP class. Each of you will also submit ONE This I Believe essay for the Class anthology which will feature all seniors' writings. Please see the link in the above section for parameters of the This I Believe essays.
How: You will work in writing groups to offer and receive insight into others’ writings as well as your own, focusing on voice and its construction. In your groups, you will present multiple writings from the guided journal questions, ultimately deciding which TWO you will submit for publication.